Is this a Viper?

[kevchard]

Does this look like a Viper to you? Arches don't seem big enough and Chassis doesn't look right.
If not, what kit is it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[hfbradley01]

Originally Posted by kevchard

Does this look like a Viper to you? Arches don't seem big enough and Chassis doesn't look right.
If not, what kit is it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I agree with you Kev, the front wheel arches look far too small.

[Andy S]

Having just consulted the oracles of all things cobra etc ie mssrs Filby & Ayre, I have stumbled, researched, and discovered that there was a predecessor to the Viper known as the Cheetah Viper, it had smaller front arches and an almost slab like rear arch, very very similar to the one in the advert, book states that only a few were made between 84-86, comments are Zero authenticity, Mickey Mouse Styling, Dire build quality & last but not least Dubious Engineering.
The above info is from The Filby Files Vol 2, Classic Kit Cars 1953-1985

[kevchard]

The plot thickens.
I feel sorry if someone buys a 'normal' viper thinking it will be a doddle, but buying that beastie could be even worse .
What's the point in having a viper if you haven't got the flarey arches .
I wonder if it is the old Viper story, 3 millions previous owners, that never got around to finishing it before getting bored? (as per ours)

[rich]

Lets see if I've got this right!

Cheetah Viper's were made by cheetah cars run by Kevin Mason between 1984 and 1986, these cars were not well received by the press and so only eight were thought to have been made, these cars had the smaller arches, the larger arches were first added to a Granada based Sheldonhurst in early '85 which later became Brightwheel in late '85.
In '86 the first Jag based Brightwheel Viper was marketed.

So would a Cheetah have been Jag based?
The ad says 'Cobretti chassis' and 'fibreglass body shell' is it possible that its not the intended shell, its hard to see from the small pics but it seems that the doors are fitted and lights holes cut out, may be second hand possibly damaged/repaired.

[steamyrotter]

Also a small point ref the seats..

There are no cutouts in the rear of the base to go over the rear cross member, as per viper...

Sounds like a lot of different bits me thinks!!!